Waking up in Abilene this morning brings back a flood of memories for me. From that first morning in a dorm room on the campus of Abilene Christian University back in the fall of 1979, to that last morning before moving to Dallas in the winter of 2014. It was a move filled with mixed emotions. On the one hand I knew moving to Dallas was precisely God’s calling on my life, therefore I had peace about going. But a huge part of me was sad, because Abilene was filled with familiarity which brought comfort, and more importantly, people who had become family to me.
Being back here today is especially sweet. I’m back in town for the theatrical release of a new documentary in a series that CenterPeace is producing, sharing stories from the Christian LGBTQ+ community. Tonight I look forward to being surrounded by friends from Abilene, along with a few out-of-towners, like my dad who’s riding down from Wichita Falls with family friends. If you don’t already have plans for Monday night, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m., join us at the Paramount for a viewing of “Loves God, Likes Girls,” a full-length documentary featuring my story of reconciling my Christian faith and sexuality.
I couldn’t very well tell my story without including Abilene, so you’ll see familiar sights from around town, as well as a few faces of people you’ll recognize. I spent some of the most formative years of my life here, as a college student, as a high school teacher, and as a college professor in the city of Abilene.
Surrounded by people who fed and nurtured me, both physically and spiritually.
People who walked alongside me during joyous seasons and ones filled with sorrow.
People who deepened my faith by literally being Jesus to me.
How could I possibly share my story without coming back to Abilene?
Since my earliest memories of childhood, I knew of Abilene, and primarily, my mother’s alma mater, Abilene Christian. I sat with her many an evening looking at her “Prickly Pear” yearbook from 1939 – the only one she could afford from her time there – and she cherished it. She would tell me stories of all the people she went to school with, the boys she dated, the faculty members she loved, and of course, the dorm mother they nicknamed “the warden!” I learned to love this place long before I ever became a student myself.
And to this day, I will forever be grateful for the education I received there. But even more, I will remember the personal attention I received from professors, the friends I made who are close to this day, and the experiences that challenged and grew my faith.
So tonight is my small way of giving back to the people of Abilene. Including those who are no longer there. If you were a part of my life through any of those seasons, I hope you’ll come tonight. If we mentioned every moment – every person – who has impacted my journey thus far, we’d be there all night! Please know, though, that I’m thankful, always mindful, of the host of influences on my life, from my seventh grade speech students at Wylie Middle School, to my speech teams at Cooper High School, to the communication majors at Abilene Christian.
My dear family at Highland Church of Christ.
My sweet friends at Freedom Fellowship who endured my drumming.
And the ones who keep me in their homes on rotation when I return
Home to Abilene.
I love you all.